Permeate collection fitting

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes fittings that include a conduction section, a coupling groove and an access port. One fitting also includes a socket section. The conduction section may be connected to receive permeate fluid from a reverse osmosis pressure chamber and the socket section may be connected in parallel with other fittings to form a permeate collection manifold system.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a hydraulic fitting and inparticular a fitting for use in a membrane filtration system.

BACKGROUND

The following discussion is not an admission that anything discussedbelow is citable as prior art or common general knowledge.

Membrane systems are used to produce purified water, also referred to aspermeate. An associated waste, also referred to as retentate,concentrate or brine is also produced. Some membrane systems include asource of pressurized feed water, semi-permeable membranes and acollection system. Large scale membrane systems may house multiplepressure chambers, each chamber housing one or more membrane elements,such as spiral wound reverse osmosis membrane elements. Large scalecollection systems include a permeate collection manifold and aretentate collection manifold. These large scale collection systems arecomprised of various parts such as pipes, tubes, fittings, valves, andthe like, of various dimensions.

Each large membrane system can use a different number of pressurechambers. Furthermore, the pressure chambers can be of differentdimensions and arranged in various orientations. Therefore, each largescale collection system is designed and constructed on a case-by-casebasis to meet the requirements of each large scale membrane system. Thecase-by-case construction of the collection system is highly work andtime intensive and requires a large number of parts, of varyingdimensions, to meet the design requirements.

SUMMARY

Fittings, to be discussed in further detail below, may be connected tothe feed water inlet, retentate outlet or permeate outlet of a membranepressure chamber. When the fittings are connected to the permeateoutlet, the fittings conduct the permeate fluid away from the pressurechamber. One fitting includes a two-ended socket section as well as aconduction section. The two ends of the socket section may be connectedwith other elements of a permeate manifold collection system.

The fittings may also include a sampling port.

The fittings can be used with various membrane systems and variouscollection systems. The fittings decrease the total number of individualparts that are required to construct a collection manifold system. Thereduced number of individual parts increases the efficiency and accuracyof the construction process.

Optionally, the socket section has a larger cross-sectional diameterthan the conduction section to ensure that flow rates in a permeatecollection manifold system do not impair the balance of pressures acrossthe reverse osmosis process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first fitting.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the fitting of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the fitting of FIG. 1 takenthrough line 3-3′ of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a reverse osmosis permeate collectionmanifold system.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a second fitting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first fitting 10. The fitting 10 has a conductionsection 100 and a socket section 200. Both of the conduction section 100and the socket section 200 are generally tubular with a circularcross-section.

The conduction section 100 has an inlet end 102, an outlet end 104 and atubular body 106 that defines an inlet bore 108.

The conduction section 100 includes a groove 116 that is positionedbetween the inlet end 102 and the outlet end 104. The groove 116 extendsaround the outer surface of the tubular body 106. The groove 116 doesnot extend through the entirety of the tubular body 106 to the inletbore 108. Rather, the groove 116 includes a floor 118 that prevents theexchange of fluid between the groove 116 and the inlet bore 108. As willbe discussed further below, the groove 116 can receive a correspondingridge of a coupling member 310.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the conduction section 100 includes an accessport extension 110 that is positioned between the groove 116 and theoutlet end 104. The access port extension 110 extends away from thetubular body 106. The access port extension 110 has a generally circularcross-section with an outer diameter and an inner diameter. The innerdiameter of the access port extension 110 defines an access port 112.The access port 112 extends through the access port extension 110 andthrough the tubular body 106 to establish fluid communication with theinlet bore 108. The access port extension 110 is adapted for connectinga peripheral device 314 (shown in FIG. 4). Optionally, the access portextension 110 is threaded and allows a threaded sampling tap to connectto the access port extension 110. With the sampling tap a user canselectively obtain samples of the fluid within the inlet bore 108. Otherpossible peripheral devices include: flow meters; pressure transducers;chemical sensors; and the like.

The conduction section 100 also includes a transition section 120positioned at the outlet end 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the transitionsection 120 includes a flange at the outer surface of the outlet end104. The transition section 120 causes the outer diameter at the outletend 104 to be comparatively larger than the inlet end 102. The largerouter diameter at the outlet end 104 increases the cross-sectional areabetween the inner and outer diameter of the conduction section 100 atthe outlet end 104. The increased cross-sectional area at the outlet end104 is unitary with a support extension 210 of the socket section 200,as described below. The transitional section 120 and the supportextension 210 provide structural support to the fitting 10.

The socket section 200 has a first end 202, a second end 204 and atubular body 206 that defines a manifold bore 208.

The inner diameter of the conduction section 100 can be different fromthe inner diameter of the socket section 200. For example, the inletbore 108 may have a diameter that is less than the manifold bore 208.Optionally, the conduction section 100 is sized to connect with standard1 inch pipes and fittings and the socket section 200 is sized to connectwith standard pipes and fittings in the range of 1 to 5 inches.

The first and second ends 202, 204 of the socket section 200 optionallyinclude a socket coupling. The socket coupling is a region 214 of thesocket section 200 that has a larger inner diameter than the manifoldbore 208. As shown in FIG. 3, the boundary of the region 214 and themanifold bore 208 includes a shoulder 216 that extends from the innersurface of the tubular body 206. The shoulder 216 acts as a depth stopfor an additional element of a permeate collection manifold system 350that is connected to either or both of the first and second ends 202,204 of the socket section 200.

The fitting 10 is preferably composed of materials that are suitable foruse with potable water. Various thermoplastic polymers are suitable, forexample polyvinylchloride. The use of thermoplastic polymers alsofacilitates an injection molding fabrication process. The fitting 10 ismanufactured as one unitary piece, from a single mold.

FIG. 5 depicts a second fitting 500. The fitting 500 is similar to theconduction section 100 of the first fitting 10 and has the samedimensions except its overall length. The fitting 500 is comprised of aninlet end 502, an outlet end 504, a tubular body 506, a groove 516 andan access port extension 510. The tubular body 506 defines an inlet bore(not shown) of the fitting 500. The groove 516 is similar to groove 116.The groove 516 is positioned between the inlet end 502 and the outletend 504. The groove 516 is the same distance from inlet end 502 as thegroove 116 is from the inlet end 102 on fitting 10. The groove 516 isadapted to receive the corresponding ridge of a coupling member 310. Theaccess port extension 510 is the same as the access port 110 of fitting10. For example, the access port extension 510 is adapted for connectinga peripheral device 314 and the access port extension 510 can be spacedthe same distance from the groove 516 as the access port extension 110is spaced from the groove 116 on fitting 10.

The fitting 500 can be manufactured from similar suitable thermoplasticpolymers as the fitting 10. The fitting 500 can be manufactured byinjection molding fabrication from a single mold. The mold can bedesigned such that the distance between inlet end 502 and outlet end504, which defines the axial length of the fitting 500, is excessiverelative to the first fitting 10. The excessive axial length of fitting500 permits the operator to cut the fitting 500 at the outlet end 504 tomeet the requirements of a given permeate collection manifold system 350that also include first fittings 10.

In operation, the inlet end 102 of fitting 10 can be connected to thepermeate outlet 308 of a reverse osmosis pressure chamber 302. Theconnection between the inlet end 102 and the permeate outlet 308 can bemade by the groove 116 receiving the coupling member 310. These types ofcoupling fittings are known and generically referred to as grooved endfittings or are known under the name Victaulic™ fittings. The couplingmember 310 ensures a suitable seal at the groove 116 to establish afluid flow path from the permeate outlet 308 to the manifold bore 208 ofthe socket section 200. This fluid flow path passes through the inletbore 108 of the conduction section 100 and through the inlet port 212 tothe manifold bore 208.

The first and second end 202, 204 of the manifold bore 208 are connectedwith additional elements to form a permeate collection tree 317. Theadditional elements can include elbow fittings 318, connection pipes320, tee joints 324 and the like. These additional elements can be influid communication with the manifold bore 208 of each fitting 10. Theadditional elements can be of various dimensions, depending upon therequirements of the permeate collection manifold system 350. Onerequirement of the permeate collection manifold system 350 can be thatthe center of the manifold bore 208 is substantially aligned with thecenter of the additional elements. The operator can cut the fitting 500at the outlet end 504 to ensure the center of an additional element issubstantially aligned with the center of the manifold bore 208.

When assembled, the additional elements and the fittings 10 constitutethe permeate collection tree 317. The permeate collection tree 317 isconnected to a permeate collection pipe 322. The additional elements andthe permeate collection pipe 322 may be made of the same, or similar,thermoplastic polymers as the fitting 10.

A reverse osmosis system 300 can include a plurality of reverse osmosispressure chambers 302. Nine such chambers are shown in FIG. 4. Eachreverse osmosis pressure chamber 302 includes a feed water inlet 304, aretentate outlet 306, a permeate outlet 308 and at least one membraneelement (not shown). The retentate outlet 306 and an example retentatecollection system are shown as a dotted line in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, the nine reverse osmosis pressure chambers 302 are shownarranged with three chambers in a parallel, vertical set, with threesuch vertical sets (shown as sets A, B and C in FIG. 4). The reverseosmosis pressure chamber 302 is positioned at the top of the verticalset, the reverse osmosis pressure chamber 302′ is in the middle of thevertical set and the reverse osmosis pressure chamber 302″ is positionedat the bottom of the vertical set. Reverse osmosis pressure chambers302′ and 302″ are each connected at the permeate outlet 308′, 308″ to afitting 10′, 10″. The fittings 10′ and 10″ are part of the permeatecollection tree 317 that provides fluid flow to the permeate collectionpipe 322 for each vertical set of reverse osmosis pressure chamber 302.

The reverse osmosis pressure chamber 302 is connected at the permeateoutlet 308 to fitting 500 that is connected to an elbow fitting 318. Theelbow fitting 318 is connected to the permeate collection tree 317 viathe connection pipe 320. The connection pipe 320 is connected to thefirst end 202′ of the socket section 200′ of the fitting 10′. Theoperator can substantially align the center of the elbow fitting 318 andthe center of the connection pipe 320 with the center of manifold bore208 of fitting 10′ by cutting the axial length of fitting 500. Thesecond end 204′ of the socket section 200′ is connected to anotherconnection pipe 320 which is connected to the first end 202″ of thesocket section 200″ of the fitting 10″. The second end 204″ isconnected, via connection pipe 320, to a permeate collection pipe 322,for example by a tee joint 324 or another elbow fitting 318 dependingupon which permeate collection tree 317 the second end 204″ is a memberof (see vertical set A in comparison to vertical set C in FIG. 4).

Alternatively, as shown in set C of FIG. 4, the second end 204′ of thefitting 10′ can be connected to a connection pipe 320 and the connectionpipe 320 is connected to a tee section 324″. The tee section 324″includes a manifold portion that is in vertical fluid communication withthe fitting 10′. The manifold portion of the tee section 324″ can have alarger inner and outer diameter than the manifold bore 208′. Therefore,the operator can connect a fitting 500″ to the permeate outlet 308 ofthe reverse osmosis pressure chamber 3020″. The operator can cut thefitting 500, at the outlet end 504, so the center manifold bore 208′ issubstantially aligned with the center of the manifold portion of the teesection 324″.

Each of the three vertical sets of the chambers 302 in the reverseosmosis system 300 are connected with a respective permeate collectiontree 317 through which each vertical set is connected to the permeatecollection pipe 322.

Alternatively, the reverse osmosis pressure chambers 302 can be arrangedin a parallel, horizontal sets. When the reverse osmosis pressurechambers 302 are arranged in parallel horizontal set, the manifold bore208 of each socket section 200 within the permeate collection manifoldsystem 350 is similarly horizontally oriented. The horizontalorientation of the socket sections 200 allows for collection of permeatefrom multiple, reverse osmosis pressure chambers 302 at the sameelevation, for example between reverse osmosis pressure chambers 302,302B and 302C (as shown in FIG. 4). The permeate from the reverseosmosis pressure chambers 302, 302B and 302C can be directed to avertical permeate collection pipe 322.

The manifold bore 208 of each socket section 200 could also be orientedbetween a horizontal and vertical position, for example a diagonalposition. For example, the permeate from the reverse osmosis pressurechamber 302B could be in communication with the manifold bore 208 ofsocket section 200′ connected to a pressure chamber 302′.

The system 310 is not limited to the total number of reverse osmosispressure chambers 302 shown in FIG. 4. The fitting 10 is useful for anypermeate collection manifold system 350 that is designed to collect thepermeate from more than one reverse osmosis pressure chamber 302.

The use of the terms “connected” and “connection” includes all suitabletechniques for connecting and sealing thermoplastic pipes and fittingssuch as: solvent cement glue; fusion welding; joints; flanges;compression members; threading; and, infrared welding.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fitting, comprising: a fitting body having afirst open end, a second open end and a first bore that extends betweenthe first and second open ends; a third open end and a second bore thatperpendicularly extends from the first bore to the third open end; afourth open end and a third bore that perpendicularly extends from thesecond bore to the fourth open end; wherein the first bore, the secondbore and the third bore are in fluid communication.
 2. The fitting ofclaim 1, wherein the fitting body comprises a conduction section, thesecond bore passes through the conduction section, and a socket section,the first bore passes through the socket section and the first bore isessentially perpendicular to the second bore.
 3. The fitting of claim 1,the fitting body further comprising a groove for receiving a couplingmember in communication with the third end.
 4. The fitting of claim 1,wherein the third bore is adapted to receive a peripheral device.
 5. Thefitting of claim 4, wherein the peripheral device is selected from thegroup consisting of a sample tap, a flow meter, a pressure transducerand a chemical sensor.
 6. A fitting, comprising, a fitting body having afirst open end, a second open end and a first bore that extends betweenthe first and second open ends; a third open end and second bore thatperpendicularly extends from the first bore to the third open end,wherein the first bore and the second bore are in fluid communication.7. The fitting of claim 6, the fitting body further comprising a groovepositioned external to the first bore and adapted for receiving acoupling member in communication with the first end.
 8. The fitting ofclaim 7, wherein the peripheral device is selected from a groupconsisting of a sample tap, a flow meter, a pressure transducer and achemical sensor.
 9. A set of fittings, comprising: a first fittingcomprising a first fitting body having a first open end, a second openend and a first bore that extends between the first and second openends; a third open end and a second bore that perpendicularly extendsfrom the first bore to the third open end; a fourth open end and a thirdbore that perpendicularly extends from the second bore to the fourthopen end; wherein the first bore, the second bore and the third bore arein fluid communication; and a second fitting comprising a second fittingbody having a first open end, a second open end and a first bore thatextends between the first and second open ends; a third open end andsecond bore that perpendicularly extends from the first bore to thethird open end, wherein the first bore and the second bore are in fluidcommunication
 10. The set of fittings of claim 9, wherein the length ofthe second fitting is greater than the length of the second bore of thefirst fitting.
 11. The set of fittings of claim 9, wherein the firstfitting body further comprises a groove for receiving a coupling memberin communication with the third end, the groove distanced from the thirdend; and, wherein the second fitting body of the further comprises agroove positioned external to the first bore for receiving a couplingmember in communication with the first end, wherein the groove of thesecond fitting is distanced from the first end substantially the same asthe distance of the groove of the first fitting from its third end. 12.The set of fittings of claim 9, wherein the third bore of the firstfitting is distanced from the third end and the second bore of thesecond fitting is distanced from the first end substantially the same asthe distance of the groove of the first fitting from its third end. 13.The set of fittings of claim 9, wherein the diameter of the third boreof the first fitting is substantially the same diameter as the secondbore of the second fitting.
 14. A collection manifold system,comprising: at least two pressure chambers, each pressure chamberincluding an outlet; and a collection tree including at least twofittings, the at least two fitting include a first fitting with a firstfitting body having a first open end, a second open end and a first borethat extends between the first and second open ends; a third open endand a second bore that perpendicularly extends from the first bore tothe third open end; a fourth open end and a third bore thatperpendicularly extends from the second bore to the fourth open end;wherein the first bore, the second bore and the third bore are in fluidcommunication or a second fitting with a second fitting body having afirst open end, a second open end and a first bore that extends betweenthe first and second open ends; a third open end and second bore thatperpendicularly extends from the first bore to the third open end,wherein the first bore and the second bore are in fluid communication,wherein the outlet is connected to a collection tree; and, thecollection tree provides fluid communication between the outlet and acollection pipe.
 15. The collection manifold system of claim 14, whereinthe at least two pressure chambers are arranged with their outlets in asubstantially vertical plane.
 16. The collection manifold system ofclaim 14, further comprising the first fitting and the second fitting.17. The collection manifold system of claim 14, wherein the third boreof the fitting of claim 1 is substantially parallel with the second boreof the fitting of claim
 6. 18. The collection manifold system of claim14, further comprising a grid of pressure vessels, each vertical orhorizontal set of pressure chambers within the grid including acollection tree that connects all of the outlets in the set with thecollection pipe.
 19. The permeate collection manifold system of claim14, wherein the at least two pressure chambers each house at least onereverse osmosis membrane element.